The Netherlands has been requested by the European Commission to respect EU rules on public procurement when awarding contracts for processing and transporting of used paper. This would ensure that used paper processing and transport companies throughout the EU have an opportunity to seek this business and that Dutch taxpayers have the opportunity to get better value for money.

The Commission considers that The Netherlands has failed to fulfil its obligations by allowing the two contracting authorities concerned (Coöperatieve Vereniging VAOP u.a., and Vaop Oud Papier B.V.) to directly award public contracts worth more than €15m per year to economic operators, without following open and competitive pan-EU tendering procedures.

The Commission’s request to The Netherlands takes the form of a Reasoned Opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure. If The Netherlands fails to notify the Commission of measures taken to ensure compliance with EU procurement rules within two months, the Commission may refer this matter to the European Court of Justice.